Written on Friday 6th April, 10:25 am by adminBookmakers have made Oxford firm favourites to win the Boat Race 2012 ahead of their rivals Cambridge this year.

William Hill is offering Oxford at 2/5 to win the race with Cambridge only available at 7/4. If Oxford win, it will be their fourth success in five years and will condemn Cambridge to another defeat.

Cambridge still holds the record for the most amount of wins in the Boat Race with 80 victories compared to Oxford’s 76 victories since the race began back in 1829. However, despite Oxford’s domination in the 1980s and Cambridge’s successful 1990s era, both universities have experienced equal success since 2000.

This year, Cambridge have the much heavier crew but it is still Oxford who are being heavily tipped to retain the title after their win last year.

Joe Crilly, William Hill spokesperson, said “Traditionally the heavier crews have had the upper hand pre race, but this year, the predicted lack of wind on Saturday means that the lighter, more technical Oxford crew should be at an advantage.”

William Hill is even offering 10/11 odds on the winning crew crossing the finishing line more than three lengths ahead of their opponents and with Oxford listed as the favourites to win the race, the bookmaker is predicting a convincing win for the current champions.

Other markets are also available ahead of the race this Saturday. William Hill is offering 10/1 that the race will produce a record-breaking time and 25/1 that one of the boat crews will sink.

The Boat Race 2012 will take place at 2:15pm on Saturday 7th April, 2012.